Flora Pittsburghensis

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Appendaged Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum appendiculatum)

Photographed May 17.

Almost every year we visit this patch of Appendaged Waterleaf in Beechview, which seems to be thriving. This year we brought three different cameras. It is an uncommon plant around here, but abundant in this location.

For a description of the species, see the Hydrophyllum appendiculatum reference page.

A few years ago, some botanical references folded the family Hydrophyllaceae into the family Boraginaceae. Others disagree. We’re waiting for the botanists to sort it out before we make our move.

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A Walk in Bird Park, Mount Lebanon

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).

Mid-spring flowers are at their peak in the woods, but some of the earlier spring flowers are still blooming.

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum), photographed May 16.

Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis).

Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum).

Long-Styled Sweet Cecily (Osmorhiza longistylis).

Long-Styled Sweet Cecily (Osmorhiza longistylis).

Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata).

Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens).
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Photographed May 12.

Wild Geranium in shades from pale pink to deep purple. These plants were all growing in the Kane Woods Nature Area, Scott Township.

For a description of the species, see the Geranium maculatum reference page.

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Bicolor Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Photographed May 12.

Variegated flowers like these are not rare in Dame’s Rocket. These plants were blooming in the Kane Woods Nature Area in Scott Township.

For a description of the species, see the Hesperis matronalis reference page.

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Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Photographed May 11.

The picture above looks weirdly over-sharpened, but it is the effect of sunlight through petals that are turned up at the edges. Dame’s Rocket is lighting up roadsides and fields right now; these plants in shades from white through pink to purple were all blooming in Beechview.

For a description of the species, see the Hesperis matronalis reference page.

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